Conservation Week 2020: A critique of rock stacking

Conservation Week 2020 is running from the 13th-23rd of August. It is a time to reflect and discuss matters pertaining to nature, the environment and our role within it.

I would like to take a moment to talk to all those people who are following the latest social media fad of stacking rocks. This is a world wide phenonium as rock stacks have started to appear on beaches, riverbeds and mountain areas right around the globe. The activity is strongly driven by social media usually with photos of the constructors standing with their work.

A typical rock stack….

Some people see this as a form of art but this is not art! While it may be attractive to some people many others see it as a desecration of the natural world.

Track marker cairns are o.k. as they serve a valuable purpose

In their natural location and in their natural state rocks provide a complex eco-system for a multitude of species. When you disturb rocks, move them around and try to reorder them you destroy this fragile system. Rock stacks are also a very intrusive form of visual pollution. They look unnatural as you will rarely see perfect stacks of rocks in nature.

Unfortunately one rock stack begets many rock stacks…

This Conservation Week I would like to ask everyone to stop building rock stacks and ask you to encourage other outdoor users in a polite way to cease this activity. If you encounter a field of rock stacks I would encourage you to dismantle the stacks and place the materials back into their original location.

Spread the dismantled stacks out over a wide area & try to make the result look as natural as possible.

 

 No stacks of rocks in nature…Pororairi River, Paparoa National Park

Everyone should know and follow the Leave No Trace precepts when interacting with the natural world, the precepts are:

The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace (LNT)

 

Leave No Trace means just that…leaving no trace of your presence after you are gone. I think you will agree with me that leaving a huge stack of rocks does not follow the LNT precepts.

 

Suppress your desire to leave your mark on the environment and just enjoy it on its own terms. Let others experience our iconic scenery as nature intended it to be seen.

 

 

Thank You

Conservation Week: 14th-22nd September 2019

Nature needs us…..

Saturday the 14th September marks the start of Conservation Week here in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Conservation Week is a series of events across the country around a central theme, in 2019 the theme is “Nature Needs Us”….

This year is also the 50th anniversary of the beginning of  Conservation Week in this country.  Originally started by the Scout movement it was meant to encourage people to think about the natural world which surrounds them. Once people take notice of their natural surrounds they are much more likely to want to preserve them. 

Why have Conservation Week?

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is responsible for roughly 40% of the landmass of  New Zealand with few staff and on a very constrained budget. They need our assistance to undertake all of the vital tasks required to advance bio-diversity, maintain our back country infrastructure and protect the beauty of our natural world.

Regenerating forest on Otamahua/Quail Island, 2019…volunteer conservation in action

Now and into the future we should all be lending our support as DOC will never be in a position to do all these tasks on their own. While local environmental groups such as Regional Councils, Forest and Bird, Queen Elizabeth II National Trust, Native Forest Action, Rod Donald Trust, Permolat and various Aclimatisation/Regeneration/Replanting/Ecological Societies do excellent work they need people power to complete their tasks.

Biodiversity is the key to our future….

What is required are volunteers who are willing of give of their skills, experience and time to assist DOC by undertaking such tasks as pest control, replanting schemes, bio-diversity/species conservation and maintenance of our back country huts and tracks.

Otamahua/Quail Island: volunteers from the Quail Island Ecological Society on a planting day

This Conservation Week I would like to encourage everyone to think about nature and if possible volunteer to assist one of the groups doing this valuable work. Even one day of your time can make a dramatic difference and ensure these vital tasks are completed.

Project Janzoon: re-forestation and bio-diversity work in Abel Tasman NP

If volunteering is not your thing take individual action: plant some natives in your garden, undertake a pest control program around your home or set up a bush trap line, carry rubbish out with you from a back country hut. Get out into nature alone or with friends & family and go for a tramp/hike/walk/stroll. Short or long the distance does not matter.

Nina Valley Restoration Group: Volunteer bio-diversity work in the Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve

Enjoy nature on her own terms….try going for a walk on a rainy day, it is an interesting and not totally unpleasant experience.

How can I help?

DOC have a full list of Conservation Week events happening around the country on their website. Here some of the Conservation Week events in Christchurch/Canterbury where I live….why not find out what activities are taking place in your part of the country.

Conservation Week 2019 events in Canterbury

There is also a list of activities you can undertake with your family to celebrate Conservation Week.

…do an activity for Conservation Week 2019

Whatever you decide to do have a safe and happy Conservation Week…and remember…

Nature Needs Us!!!

 

Conservation Week 2018: 15-23 September

In 2018 Conservation Week will take place between the 15th-23rd September.

Conservation Week is an annual event organised by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to raise awareness about the importance nature plays in our lives. The week is a series of activities involving DOC and various groups around the country all with the aim of spreading the conservation message.

There are many ways you can help conservation efforts in New Zealand including:

• Go to a Conservation Week event
• Take part in a conservation activity
• Donate time and or money to a conservation cause

Visit conservationweek.org.nz to find out how to organise or list an event and to see what conservation activities are happening in your area. There is also a list of conservation causes that could use your time or money.

In Canterbury check out the follow links to conservation events happening in our region:

DOC Canterbury: Conservation Week Events

Eventfinda: Conservation Week in Canterbury

 

Show New Zealand how much you love it.

This week (12-19^th September) was Conservation Week across NZ. This year’s theme for Conservation Week was all about celebrating our unique wildlife, native plants and natural areas, and showing New Zealand just how much you love it. Unfortunately, many of the events in Canterbury have been postponed due to the earthquake.  You can read more here about how DOC facilities in the Canterbury region have been affected. 

However, there are still plenty of places you can explore, and we have lots of books to give you ideas, including: Christchurch and Canterbury Walks and Off the beaten track. And you can still learn more about NZ’s amazing flora & fauna, as well as conservation issues at CPIT Library. 

See our Library display for more info.